[laluks]

Day03, 28.08.2010
GAVI

When we reached near the Cardamom processing facility, Mr. Varghese spotted a cute Malabar Giant Squirrel.

Malabar Giant Squirrel











We were told by Mr. Varghese that this was the variant of the tree used by Noah to make the Arc.




We reached a small pond, and Mr. Varghese told us to come outside and wait.


continued...

[laluks]

Day03, 28.08.2010
GAVI

We waited there patiently and lo, the beautiful Barking Deer appears.


















Finally some eyecontact. He acknowledged us and was a bit conscious.








We did not want to annoy him. We moved on.

It was already 10:30AM and we haven't even reached the checkpost at Pachakkanam. At this rate we knew our progress was too slow. But what to do - our nature was so beautiful.

continued...

[laluks]

Day03, 28.08.2010
GAVI

A little ahead and we had to stop. The road was bad and we wanted to see if Civvy can handle it. Me and Mr.Varghese had a discussion, what if it turns out to be too dangerous? We always had the option of returning via Vandiperiyaar - depends on how far we have progressed. He knew that if we reached Moozhiyaar, then things would be easy as there are regular buses plying till there, and hence the roads must be ok.

Another thing which was giving as assurance was my additional spare wheel. Yes guys I have 2 spares in the dicky all the time. 6 Wheels who knows with the kind of places I go, what will bail us out in an eventuality.

Evaluating the bad roads




The bus coming from Moozhiyar to Kumily via Gavi



We reached Pachakkanam Checpost by 11:00AM.


That is 14Kms and 1.5hours for the record. Not due to bad roads, but due to the beauty around.

We spoke to the official there. He was surprised that I wanted to do that route and was serious. He was also happy that we had an experienced guide from that area along with us. Exchanging greetings, we moved on from there. The forest becomes dense from now.

Mr. Varghese again asked me to stop. He had spotted some wild life.



continued...

[laluks]

Day03, 28.08.2010
GAVI

We saw wild elephants at the grass lands. This place always has elephants.

The Wild Elephants





































With this I give Gavi another name - The Elephant Land


continued...

[laluks]

Day03, 28.08.2010
GAVI

Roads became bad here and there.






We saw a stream near by.




ANATHODE


By 12:00PM we have reached the Flanking Dam at Anathode. All these areas are restricted and protected areas of Kerala State Electricity board. These areas are the areas of the Sabrigiri Project. Trespassing and Photography is restricted. I was allowed to take the picture of the car on the dam, but not anything else.

We stopped on the Flanking Dam




We wrote our details on the register and continued on.




Rains have started and it became misty again adding to my woes.



In these conditions you never can guess the time. It was 12:00 in the afternoon. We had travelled by now 20Km from Gavi. We have another 20Km to reach Moozhiyar, and another 20Km from there to reach Angamoozhy and exit near Plapally.

Bad roads, unknown area, mist and Heavy rains. Mr. Varghese was such a help in such situations, though he himself was confused as to what might unfold. At this stage a return via Vandiperiyaar is still possible if things turn out bad.



continued...

[laluks]

Day03, 28.08.2010
ANATHODE

Carefully I negotiated through the narrow roads and after sometime both Mr. Varghese and my wife screams STOP. I almost froze, stopped car, my heart is in my mouth.

Why did they both scream at the same time. What was the reason? I am about to ask them, and they both are already out of the car. By then I was convinced it was not danger, but something interesting and beautiful is around. With a sigh of relief took the camera and got out of the car. It was misty and drizzling too.

Wifey outside the car in the rains


Mr. Varghese is already outside.


Can you spot anything on the tree?






The beautiful Peacock. Boy I am so happy to have seen so much today.




































continued...

[laluks]

Day03, 28.08.2010
KAKKI

We reached Kakki Dam by 12:30PM. Here also we have to drive on top of the dam. The humps are huge and my poor civvy managed it well.

This dam is quite old


We parked the civvy nearby to have a look at the dam




View of the Dam




we parked the civvy here to have a look at the reservoir











View of the reservoir







A small waterfall


Some macros of a wild flower, Is it orchid?







From here the roads deteriorated considerably, but Civvy was doing it just fine.


continued...

[Ride_4_Fortune]

Wonderful pictures laluks. In fact, most of my trips in Western ghats were because of your travelogues. I would be looking eagerly for your trip log as this becomes the basis of my travel.

Thanks for such detailed information.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by Ride_4_Fortune

Wonderful pictures laluks. In fact, most of my trips in Western ghats were because of your travelogues. I would be looking eagerly for your trip log as this becomes the basis of my travel.

Thanks for such detailed information.

Thank you Ride_4_Fortune for the kind words.

[laluks]

Day03, 28.08.2010
KAKKI - MOOZHIYAR

We moved on towards Moozhiyar. Enroute you get a U turn. From Kakki if you are coming do not take that U but continue to the right and keep going. From Moozhiyar, it would be the left.

The roads.






Mr. Varghese loved our Civvy.




We stopped near a small waterfall














We continued on toward Moozhiyaar.

continued..

[laluks]

Day03, 28.08.2010
KAKKI - MOOZHIYAR

The only bad part of the trip was here. Plastics littered around. This is not a frequented route but then who does all this? Has it something to do with the bus trip? Do they carry food - this is exactly midway.

Hope this does not continue.









This part is nearer to Moozhiyar penstock and valve room. Hopefully wild life is not much here.

Ghost tree


We continued on to Moozhiyar





continued..

[laluks]

Day03, 28.08.2010
MOOZHIYAR - Penstock

A little later we had a huge pipeline running parallel to our road.



This continued till we reached a bridge. There it turned and flowed down. I guess it is flowing down to the Sabarigiri Powerhouse.





Mr. Varghese exploring the Penstock going below the bridge.






From Here Moozhiyar is another 4Km, and we were relieved that the bad roads are coming to an end.

Finally we reached Moozhiyar by 14:30PM. That makes it 40Km from Gavi and 5 hours to reach.

The direction board


Moozhiyaar Assitant Executive Engineers Office.


Buses ply towards Pathanamthitta side from here. Towards Gavi there is one trip in the early mornig and one coming back by late evening.

A little further is the 220KV substation.

continued..

[RSimonS]

Laluks, your logs are always a treat to read and see, this is no exception. Thanks a lot for providing so much of details. Appreaciate the effort you are putting in for this.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by RSimonS

Laluks, your logs are always a treat to read and see, this is no exception. Thanks a lot for providing so much of details. Appreaciate the effort you are putting in for this.

Thank you RSimonS. It is when my log becomes helpful for you guys I am satisfied.

[RSimonS]

Guvi is a place which was heard about a lot but not 'seen', infact one of my classmates was posted at Moozhiyar for sometime. 'Trip' never materialised, your log is definitly giving some good itches. Between, I am Located @ brookfields/Kottayam. Rating 5* for the narration and pics